Hong Kong to host Brazilian festival in June, 30,000 attendees expected
Samba dance, reggae drumming and ginga football among activities that will foster better understanding between two cultures, organiser says
A new festival will bring a taste of Brazil to Hong Kong this summer, with activities such as samba dancing, reggae drumming and freestyle football set to attract at least 30,000 participants and foster a better understanding between the two cultures, its organiser has said.
The 10-day “Extravaganza! When Brazil Meets Hong Kong” will take place across 10 locations along Victoria Harbour in Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, and feature free activities for participants.
“I really hope that by bringing people here … we’ll have a broader understanding and appreciation of what’s happening on the other side of the planet,” Dr Stefan Matzinger, founder and CEO of the festival, said.
He added that the festival would allow Hongkongers, who could not easily take the 30-hour journey over two flights to Brazil, to experience the culture of the Latin American country in their own city.
“We might find there a lot of similarities [between the two places], you [too] have carnivals, parades and dancing here,” he said.
Brazilian Deputy Consul General Hervelter de Mattos hailed the event as “creating a new cultural bridge” by introducing the “soul” of his country to the city.